SUN PRAIRIE RISING

by Andy Schoenherr

Editor, Sun Prairie Rising

March 21, 2026

Sun Prairie police are spotlighting the city’s license plate reader technology as a key factor in an arrest made Thursday night on the city’s west side.

Around 8:20 p.m. on March 19, officers received an automated alert tied to a vehicle connected to a stolen car investigation. The report notes that Dane County has seen a recent increase in stolen Infiniti vehicles, some of which have been linked to other crimes.

Officers located the vehicle in the 1700 block of West Main Street and conducted a traffic stop for operating without registration. The driver and a passenger were detained, and after officers noticed the smell of marijuana, they conducted a search of the vehicle.

Police say they uncovered a loaded .40-caliber handgun equipped with an auto sear—a modification that classifies the weapon as a machine gun under Wisconsin law. Officers also recovered an extended magazine loaded with 18 rounds, ammunition, and drug paraphernalia.

The driver, Keyonte M. Barksdale, 23 was arrested and taken to the Dane County Jail.

Prosecutors are reviewing potential charges, including possession of a machine gun, felon in possession of a firearm, carrying a concealed weapon, drug possession, possession of drug paraphernalia, and bail jumping.

Barksdale was previously arrested in April 2023 in connection with a shooting on Madison’s east side and has prior convictions related to violent crime and firearm offenses.

In a statement, Sun Prairie police emphasized that license plate readers, combined with traditional police work, are an important tool for identifying and responding to potentially dangerous situations.

That messaging is consistent with efforts by multiple city departments to educate people on the importance of maintaining funding for services and public safety in the runup to the referendum vote on April 7th.

The license plate reader cameras have been called out by some residents and City Council members as a potential cost-cutting target.

Flock Safety, the company that installs the cameras, has faced scrutiny over privacy concerns, including questions about data sharing with ICE or other federal agencies related to immigration enforcement. The city of Verona recently ended its contract following community pushback.

Police officials, however, defend the technology as a valuable tool and an important part of the police department budget . On our recent podcast, Police Chief Kevin Warych said the cameras have helped close cases more quickly and offset staffing challenges.

“When we look at the staffing problems we’ve had and how we can use resources to reduce investigation time, that’s a good thing for public safety,” Warych said.

He also directly addressed concerns about data sharing: “We do not share any data with any federal agency. The only way I would provide it is with a court order signed by a judge.”